Month 1 is over and the team has arrived in Portoviejo, Ecuador for the start of month 2, I apologize for not updating sooner.
Colombia was saturated with so much good ministry and community, it was hard for me to keep up honestly.
My home last month was a homeless shelter, addiction recovery residence, church, school, cafe and home to my squad and missionary families.
Welcome to Ciudad de Refugio. (City of Refuge) Our work there was not glamorous but its the kind of work that’s worth it. Walking the streets, going door to door, making the neighborhood aware of the church and kids programs that are offered there. Walking the mountain sides, handing out school supplies and food for displaced families. Helping with organization and administration. Going to public schools and teaching sex and drug education. Playing music in the cafe and offering free coffee to people who will stop by and hangout with the staff of the ministry. The impact that Ciudad de Refugio has in that community is unbelievable.
I will focus on the largest ministry facet which is the homeless and addiction recovery program.
Every night since 1993 Pastor Douglas has opened the doors to the homeless and drug addicted. Thousands of men and women have found refuge in these open doors. For many its the only place in the city where they feel safe enough to sleep.
The outer neighborhoods of Medellin are too dangerous to occupy. The prejudice against the homeless is so strong that they are afraid to go out at night alone because they will either be beaten or killed. So most of the homeless gather in a couple of particular industrial blocks in the center of the city.
The ministry we’re partnered with recognizes these people have been marginalized and has opened doors for them. Literally and figuratively.
The second and third floor are home to men and women in the addiction recovery program. Most of these men and women are people that were met during Agua Panela, an event during the evenings when folks from the ministry go out to where the homeless would gather and hand out flyers and chat with them. We joined them this month.
We wear Cuidad de Refugio vests when we come to these neighborhoods. The homeless don’t always know exactly why we’re there but they know when people wear these vests in the past they are there to help.
Folks at the ministry will joke around and call them “bullet proof vests”. But the truth is going into that area is certainly not safe, especially for a gringo. But I don’t remember seeing any exceptions, when Jesus said to love the least of these. And quite honestly in the caste system, “the least of these” has obvious meaning.
Basically everyone you meet on those streets is using drugs heavily. It was an incredible opportunity to talk with people about their addiction to crack or smack or whatever they packed, while they were using it right in front of me. It seemed like a good percentage of them were really open to receiving help or could at least admit to us they wanted to change. I don’t know if that’s common but I believe its something in the way we move with the Spirit. People recognize it and we make a connection through God that allows people to realize they can be loved and change for the better.
One night I was sitting on a curb chatting with a man named Alejandro. He is an aspiring rapper, and he was actually quite good. We talked about his dreams for a bit and how talented he actually is. I could sense something in him was stirring, so I asked him if he was living a lifestyle that would help him achieve his dreams. He said “no” and so the translator I was with handed him a flyer for the homeless shelter. He said he would be there the next night, and he was. And then the next night. That was the last night we stayed at the ministry so I have no idea if he has decided to keep showing up or not. But I know Ciudad de Refugio will remain faithful to foster the relationships we were able to start and continue to be God’s love. I’m not sure I’ve ever encountered a more responsible ministry.
When someone does stay at the shelter they must be sober. So those two nights Alejandro showed up sober and now knows there is a place in Colombia for Venezuelan refugees to be loved and accepted. Making the name City of Refuge really take shape. The rejection that the homeless feel, especially in Medellin, is so harsh, it makes it hard to describe the intense contrast of spirit that the homeless sense in a place of acceptance like Ciudad de Refugio.
Alejandro is just one example of countless people that the team encountered in our time there. And one of several we were able to see actually show up to receive help.
I can’t quite sum up my experiences in Colombia, but God is working in that city. The people there that know Love are bringing a sort of heaven to a place that the world has damned. I was blessed to partner with that for a month.
Thank you for reading! Please find your best way of contacting me, I’d love to keep in contact with everyone
